Late Models
Ft Mill SC.
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Joined: 12/31/2006
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My family spent the weekend at Cherokee this weekend.When leaving monday we decide to take the parkway to Ashville,83 miles.We had a great time and enjoyed the sites.The wife and I decided we wanted to try the whole parkway this fall.We thought it over and for the first trip we would like to do it after the leaves fall so theres cooler weather,less crowds,and you can see thru the trees better so as not to miss the sites.After this trip and learning where the sites are then take a trip in a couple years during the late summer or fall.
Heres my question.We did 83 miles in a day.I would have liked to slow down and saw a few more sites.How long is a reasonable time to see the whole 460 miles of the parkway?Keep in mind stopping to see the sites for the first time and maybe a day or two of rest at interesting locations.
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Likes to tow
Huntington WV
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Joined: 01/13/2006
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I have seen it all but not in one trip. However I would say you need at least 3 days to check out everything on the Parkway. Beware that in the Fall you may encounter fog in the early morning hours. It may be afternoon before you can see anything! The speedlimit is only 35/40 and you should stick to it. Many of the visitors centers are closed before Memorial Day and I'm not sure how late they are open in the Fall. I break the Parkway down into 3 major sections. Each year we do a different section. From Front Royal Va to I 64 is the Skyline Drive....then from I 64 to I 77 is another trip...and finally the section from I 77 to Cheerokee. I think to run the whole 460 miles in one trip would get boring because of the speedlimit. Also in late Fall you may see snow storms on part of it. Some sections get shut down even in late October for a day or two!! However this is rare.
Beware there is a section closed right now north of Ashville due to a slip in the road. It may not open until next year I believe. If you are in an RV or pulling a trailer beware that many of the roads exiting the parkway are very very steep and not RV friendly. The smell of burning brakes is common.
Beautiful road...enjoy
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ramzfam
Appomattox, Va
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Joined: 01/08/2007
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Three or four days should provide a nice pace. There's a lot to be said for going after the leaves are down as there are a lot more unobstructed views. Closures are rare before Thanksgiving but as 'Likes to tow' points out, early morning fog can be a problem that time of year.
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Late Models
Ft Mill SC.
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October 5 thru the 11 was the week we were trying for,as we havea race in Atlanta on the 3-4 and intended on heading straight for the southern most starting point.
Would a spring trip serve a better purpose as far as the fog goes?Im an early riser and it would bore me to death to have to sit and wait for fog to lift unless I had something to do.
The Minni is fairly easy on brakes.But on some of the down grades I dropped to second if I wasnt holding anyone up.The 460 engine is all billy-goat as far as the climbs go though.Rarely heard the passing gear kick in.
I know what you mean about three sections.While we were at the store at the moutain top resort,we saw maps of the Parkway divided into three maps so they could show the sites.
Thank you for the input and help.
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Huntington WV
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Spring comes later on the Blue Ridge and an early May trip is very good. We were just there during the first full week of May....I think the 6th..and there were no leaves on the mountain tops but plenty of folage in the valleys. We had beautiful unobstructed views from the parkway and very nice temperatures. There was no fog the whole week we were in the area.
One important note however, be carefull between mile marker 78 to 60 (Lynchburg Va area). You go from the lowest elevation on the parkway in Virginia to the highest elevation on the parkway in just 18 miles! You climb over 3000 feet and this can be an issue if heading south on transmission temperatures. It is also an issue for brakes if heading north. Never pull a long grade and stop. Keep it running over the crest a mile or two to allow transmission temperatures to cool before shutting down!! Going downhill, shift to lower gears at the top and don't ride the brakes. Get on them and slow down about 10 mph and then cost along until increases again. I thought my 460 was bullet proof but gee did I leave a big puddle of transmission fluid at the first overlook on top near Onion Mountain Overlook!!! The ambient temperature that day was 93 however so I was just being plumb stupid pulling that grade and stopping at the top!!
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kamperman45
Chelsea, AL
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Joined: 06/16/2006
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We did BRP in the late 1980's from n of Cashiers going north and then Shenandoah NP south and got off at Johnson City. We did 3 days going up and figure you'd need at least 4. Going down we stayed 2 days at Boone, NC in a KOA just to see things there - Grandfather Mtn, Mt Mitchell, Blowing Rock, Linville Gorge, etc. We jumped off to go to Gatlinburg a little quicker and then spent a week there.
I'd definitely allow 4-5 days because there are so many things to see just on the Pkwy. You'll also want to check some of the things off the BRP along the way.
DW, me and the two pups - Sassy & Andy 
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Tom N
Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL
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Drove the complete BRP last Oct 31-Nov 1. Stayed overnight at Doughton Campground on the BRP. Note: All campgrounds close Oct 31st on the BRP.
Needless to stay we didn't do a lot of stopping. We had absolutely no problems and the leaves were great and the traffic was very light.
-Tom
"The people that don't believe in evolution are the ones who need it most!"
Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Indiana, PA
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AltamonteRVr
Orlando
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Joined: 12/06/2007
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We are driving a portion of the BRP on the way from Orlando to Washington DC and NYC this summer. We plan on spending about 5 days in the area from Asheville to around Natural Bridge, VA. It takes me longer with a 10 and 6-year old that will not tolerate more than a few hours of driving at a time.
This is a great site from a n Rvr that did the entire route. She has a mile by mile report, plus sites and campgrounds along the way. It proved invaluable for my planning.
Malias Miles Blue Ridge Parkway Plan
The rest of her site, www.maliasmiles.com is very comprehensive with other destinations as well.
Best of luck. Sounds like a great trip.
Dennis
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jnharley
Virginia Beach, Virginia
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Joined: 03/04/2004
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Skyline Drive NP does have an entrance fee. It was $10 the last time I was up that way. If you are going early Oct, you may be too early for the fall leaves. We are usually on the Harley and it is a wonderful drive.
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